UConn HC Dan Hurley comments on Baylor’s stunning loss vs Gonzaga

UConn head coach Dan Hurley took time out of his latest address to the media to give his opinion on the Baylor Bears' stunning 101-63 defeat to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

With both teams featuring in the top 10 of AP's Top 25 preseason men's college basketball poll, many expected a closer battle between the Bears and the Bulldogs. Instead, it was heavily one-sided, with the Bulldogs putting on an impressive display in front of their fans at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Bears assembled a signing class ranked fourth overall in the nation per On3, which included No. 4-ranked prospect V.J. Edgecombe and Duke transfer Jeremy Roach. Despite the duo starting for the Bears against the Bulldogs, they struggled to get any rhythm going, with only three players scoring in double-digits.

Hurley said top teams need to find a way to pull off gritty wins despite the changes they may undergo during an offseason.

"I think, especially when, college basketball today, whether you're other schools that just have so many different transfers or you're our situation where you just have a new cast of character," Hurley said. "Some are internal players, being asked to play much greater roles.

"But, I think early in the year, you got to win. You got to win in a grimy way, a gritty way. That's how you got to do it, until you start playing real well."

Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies start the 2024-25 season in style

Following successive national championships, Hurley is eager to lead the Huskies to a rare three-peat this season. The Huskies secured a massive 92-56 victory over the Sacred Heart Pioneers to begin their title defense.

Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies began their 2024-25 season in emphatic fashion.

Alex Karaban, their lone returning starter, capped off an incredible all-round display by finishing as the Huskies' top scorer with 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists and seven blocks. Liam McNeeley, the Huskies' top recruit this season, also impressed on debut, recording a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and a steal.

The Huskies will make a short trip to Hartford, where they will take on the New Hampshire Wildcats at the XL Center on Nov. 9.